Life sciences industry leaders from Asia Pacific gathered for a glittering ceremony in Singapore to celebrate the success of companies in the region at the 4th BioSpectrum Awards Nite on March 16, 2012. Dr Benjamin Seet, executive director, Biomedical Research Council, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, was the guest of honor. The 12 winners under the different categories were applauded by over hundred delegates from across Asia.

Mr Abraham Mathew, group editor, BioSpectrum, set the tone for the evening by highlighting the fact that the world has realized that the next generation medical products will need Asian inputs to become successful. So, they are flocking to set up their research facilities, do a large part of their drug discovery work and conduct clinical trials in a big way to speed up the drug development process, he pointed out.

“BioSpectrum Awards is an extension to observe and highlight the winners in the long battle to tackle the world's emerging health problems and find solutions. Through these awards, BioSpectrum is playing the role of picking tomorrow's winners, nudging today's entrepreneurs to achieve greater glory and honoring yesterday's key players who laid the foundation for success,” Mr Mathew noted.

Dr Seet appreciated the Asian companies for their commendable performance and achievements and noted that Asia is hub for potential growth and innovation.

Addressing the audience, he remarked that the way Singapore has developed itself into a highly advanced biotech hub, Asian companies can take advantage and grow and thrive in the forthcoming opportunities. “What Asian companies have to consider is to maintain consistency in their growth besides the challenges posed by western economy,” he said.

The most prestigious award of the year, BioSpectrum Lifetime Achievement Award 2012 was conferred on Dr John Ballard, co-founder and director of BioAngels, Australia. The international jury unanimously chose Dr Ballard who, in a career spanning four decades, has successfully played many different roles and contributed to building the industry in Australia from scratch. Dr Ballard, who could not travel to Singapore due to health issues, thanked BioSpectrum and the jury for acknowledging his long stint in life science industry through an email response. Emerging company of the year winner, TaiMed Biologics, too could not make it to the event in Singapore to receive the award.

Ms Nandita Singh, editor, BioSpectrum, concluded the grand and glamorous evening thanking the jury members and the audience for making the awards a success.